FROM THE BOARDROOM: MIKE HERRICK

These From the Boardroom notes were written by club director, Mike Herrick, for the Cambridge United edition of Talk of the Town.

Firstly, a very warm welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Cambridge United – a club against whom we always have a closely fought game.

The two sides are separated by very little at the moment so I’m sure today’s match, played out before a big crowd, will be no different. At least no-one should have far to travel home afterwards (apart from those who live a long way away to start with!)

Today sees us back at Kenilworth Road for the first time in 2017, having seemingly travelled the length and breadth of the country in the last few weeks. We ended the year on a positive note at home to Barnet, but only two days later we were dismayed to lose the services of Cameron McGeehan. His reaction to his injury and his outlook is extremely positive, however, and we look forward to seeing him gradually work his way back to full fitness.

We then had two performances which could be likened to ‘chalk and cheese’. A rather lacklustre display in the cup at a foggy Accrington was followed by a very determined and uplifting effort to win at Crewe.

We continued in this vein against Wycombe last week, but for reasons which were difficult to accept, we were denied the victory that had looked likely for much of the game.

One positive aspect is that of the eight times this season that we have finished a game with fewer than when we started, we have won six times, drawn one and lost only once. Last week, though, is now water under the bridge and we shall move forward today with equal effort and determination.

It is unfortunate how postponements and rearrangements can unbalance the fixture list and after the glut of away games there now follows a run of five home games out of the next six, and we are aware that this will stretch resources for many supporters.

The big attendances for last two home games were greatly appreciated by all at the club and we hope that the ‘3 for 2’ offer covering the next three league games against Cheltenham, Crawley and Hartlepool will ease the burden for those who pay on the gate. Season Ticket holders will be able to bring a friend to any or all of these three games for £10 each.

Hopefully this will make it a little easier for supporters to take in all these matches and keep attendances high as we move towards the important run-in.

On the playing side we welcome two new recruits in Lawson D’Ath from Northampton and Luke Gambin from Barnet, who made their debuts for us against Crewe and Wycombe respectively. We have followed their progress for some time and we are extremely pleased to have now been able to strengthen our squad in this way. They have both bought into the ethos at Luton and are keen to play their part in helping us to achieve our ambitions.

One further item of news is that we have just signed with a contractor for the provision of a 3G pitch at our new training ground at the Brache, which will replace the current old-style artificial surface Arena pitch, the same as we used to have here at Kenilworth Road.

It will be a real boost for Andy Awford and the Academy staff to have our own facility – a proper base which they can call home after spending so long having to hire pitches all over the place. It’s no less than they deserve and another instance of the club continuing to move forward and develop its links to the community of which we are proud to be a part.

And so on to today’s game. Cheer loud and cheer long, but above all enjoy the occasion.